Expert: Angela Donald - 2/28/2011

Question
My 7 year old adopted boxer has now had stomach issues for years.  Started very suddenly. Constant swallowing for a long time and vomiting short to follow.  We watch her like a hawk, she never eats anything other than her food. Can go on for a week or just a few days. We tried several different foods.   After hundreds spent at the Vet on X-rays and stomach medicine we found out on Boxer website to change her food to Taste of the Wild which is all protein, no wheat etc.  This was great for about a year and here we are again.  She eats carpets, her bed, anything to sooth I guess. I have to kennel her with nothing at all in there to keep her from eating stuff that can harm her.   When she vomits it appears to be all her food and white froth.  Except of course when she has eaten carpet etc.  Her bowels and everything are regular and normal, surprisingly. I am considering a raw diet but she kisses my kids and that grossed me out.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Elaine,

The RAW diet is the best thing that has helped other boxers who I've had dealings with who exhibit the same digestion problem you are describing. I know it may gross you out but we humans have to take a step back and say what it best for the dog. The natural diet of canines in the wild does not come out of a bag. The RAW diet isn't that complicated and can be setup on a weekly basis say on Sunday's and put in the freezer and frig to make the transition more convenient. The BARF diet is popular. I personally give my own boxers a homemade diet daily of about 1 1/2 lbs and add NuVet supplements daily. They are thriving and I'm pleased with the results. You may also try adding a large softball to her bowl while she is eating to help her slow down eating ( makes her have to move it around to eat and slows her eating) as she may just be eating too fast and inhaling more air causing her to regurgitate the food, this trick has helped many canines with this problem too, I'd try this first then if this doesn't work try a RAW diet. The behavior your boxer is exhibiting in eating things she shouldn't is called PICA and you can learn more about it at my website here
http://www.hitowerboxers.com/picadepravedappetite.htm
Hope this helps and thank you for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
Hi-Tower Boxers
http://www.hitowerboxers.com